For the second time in JPMAM Round the Island race history, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Admiral Robin Aisher crossed the finish line together in Cowes, this morning finishing at 11:43:01, but Sir Robin’s race was hampered by injuring his elbow.  The doctor says he may have splintered the bone or pulled his tendon out.  To cheer him up, official race partner of the JP Morgan Round the Island race and exclusive whisky sponsor of Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Old Pulteney Single Malt Whisky welcomed the sailing hero and his crew ashore with a special limited edition bottle of the whisky lover’s favourite single malt, Old Pulteney 21 Year Old.

Having recently returned from the grueling solo round the world race Sir Robin was happy to welcome a competitive crew of both family and friends aboard his Open 60 Lombard Marine Finance.  In addition to Admiral Aisher and his daughter Caroline, Robin’s nephew Paul Knox-Johnston, and key members of his crew from the Velux 5-Oceans race including his boat manager, Simon Clay, preparateur Tony Reid and nipper, Huw Fernie joined him aboard.  “After I knocked my elbow, I was even able to delegate the delegating to Aisher! I can’t move my arm but apart from that we had a really great time! It is better to injure yourself near Cowes rather than in the Southern Ocean!” he commented.

One of the first boats to start this morning at 0500, Sir Robin’s crew of 7 raced alongside a myriad of well-known sailors on various sized boats, including gold medal winner Shirley Robertson, world-record holder Dee Caffari, Dame Ellen MacArthur and Michael Perham, the youngest person to sail across the Atlantic.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston added:  “This year’s round-the-world race was an incredible and exciting challenge right up to the end.  However today was a completely different experience, racing doesn’t get much better than this – working with a crew and also racing against friends, it’s great!  We’ve had the spinnaker up and getting on fine.  I really enjoyed getting the others to do lots of the work! So it’s been a bit of fun.  I’ve done this race many times, mainly on Suhaili and know that it is actually about getting round and finishing. Seeing 1,800 boats really is spectacular.  One of the biggest differences with this race is that you are forever putting the sails up and down, whereas I’m used to putting them up and leaving them there for a month!!”

Old Pulteney will also be welcoming all competitors ashore this afternoon as they return from an exciting day on the water with celebratory drams of their 12 Year Old Single Malt.  Old Pulteney also hosted a whisky tasting of all their finest single malts last night, where Sir Robin spoke of his love for sailing, his recent round-the-world tales and of course his life-long appreciation of fine whisky! 

Iain Baxter, Brand Manager of Old Pulteney Whisky commented:

“Congratulations to Sir Robin and his crew  – it was a fantastic seeing him out on the water again but a shame he hurt himself.  I hope he recovers quickly.   Well done also to the other thousands of boats who were out there today – it has been nail biting on shore but an incredible race to follow.”

Sir Robin also has continued support in the race from marine insurers Haven Knox-Johnston, whose parent company Amlin provided cover throughout his recent circumnavigation.

Sophy Williams

Round the Island Race images:

Last Updated ( Saturday, 23 June 2007 )